"Voices of Hope" to be Presented April 26 at BVU

"Voices of Hope" to be Presented April 26 at BVU

Dr. Wind Goodfriend, associate professor of psychology at BVU and author of the play.

Feb. 15, 2012

A new play, Voices of Hope, based on a book co-authored by Dr. Wind Goodfriend, associate professor of psychology, will be presented Thursday, April 26 at Buena Vista University.

Goodfriend, who will direct the play, said the hour-long performance highlights the issues of relationship violence using nine true-life stories from a variety of former victims, including men and women. “The play’s message is that people who experience relationship violence are affected by the experience, but not defined by it,” she says. “These voices have come through the journey as stronger, more compassionate individuals.”

The play will be presented at 4 p.m. in The Underground, located in the lower level of Smith Hall, and is free and open to the public. Co-author of Voices of Hope with Goodfriend is Pamela Lassiter Cathey, founder of the Institute for the Prevention of Relationship Violence, which is now based at BVU. Their book is scheduled for publication this fall. The cast will include BVU students, faculty and staff and members of the Storm Lake area community. Student co-directors for the play areAshley Porter, a sophomore secondary education and communication and theater studies double major from St. Louis, Mo., and Vanessa Ellsbury, a junior social work major from Manson. Cathey will also present a lecture at 4 p.m. on April 25 in Room 126 at the Estelle Siebens Science Center and share a preview of the book.